Lenovo has unveiled a new notebook computer
today called theThinkPad
X1. This machine is the thinnest and highest performance notebook in its
class according to Lenovo. The machine is aimed at the pro user that needs
something that can work and play on the road with a very portable design.

The machine has a backlit keyboard for working in low-light
conditions, and it has batteries that are designed for quick charging. Inside the rig,
buyers can opt for Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processors. The X1 has a 13.3-inch
display that is covered with Gorilla Glass for durability.

“Our customers are looking for a business laptop
that combines the best consumer multimedia and entertainment features with the
latest performance and mobility innovations in a super-thin, stylish design,”
said Dilip Bhatia, vice president, ThinkPad Business Unit, Lenovo. “We used
their input to craft the ThinkPad X1, equipping it with non-traditional
business features like Dolby Home Theater sound, an updated keyboard and a
super-bright, durable screen with Corning® Gorilla® Glass and that continues to
deliver the enterprise-level security, manageability and durability that ThinkPad
is known for.”

The notebook weight starts at 3.7 pounds and it is
made to meet eight different military specs for ruggedness and survivability.
This is also the first machine from Lenovo to use the RapidCharge battery tech
that allows the battery to charge to 80% in only 30 minutes. That allows the
battery to be charged 2.5 times faster than normal Lenovo batteries. The
machine can also be optioned with a RapidCharge external battery for up to ten
hours more use.

The X1 also has Dolby home theater sound, HDMI
output, and Intel Wireless Display Tech inside to stream 1080p video to a
display or projector.

Unfortunately you are right. Since the Thinkpad brand was bought by Lenovo from Red China, the quality, cutting edge technology, and great features that made Thinkpad stand apart from the crowd have disappeared or simply haven't advanced at the rate of the competition.

I was a Thinkpad fan forever, but the last one I bought was made by Lenovo, and it will be the last one I ever buy. I ended up paying 30% more than competing brands with the same specs, just for the name I guess. I hate to say, but by comparison the price premium for the Macbook is far more justified.